Pannonhalma

The Archabbey of Pannonhalma is the centre of the Hungarian Benedictine Congregation. The monks living here follow the Rule of Saint Benedict, having chosen this way of life to seek God in prayer and communal life.

In 996 Prince Géza settled monks from Bohemia on the Sacred Mount of Pannonia. The monastery, erected in honour of Saint Martin of Tours, became the eastern bridgehead of medieval European culture, as the prince intended. Even Saint Stephen (1000–1038), the first Hungarian king, was a frequent guest within its walls.

During the century and a half of Turkish occupation the monks had to flee for shorter or longer periods, and only later could they start rebuilding the damaged buildings. In the time of Archabbot Benedek Sajgó a major Baroque reconstruction was carried out in the monastery.

After 1945 the properties of the order and the schools run by the Benedictines were confiscated by the communist state. From 1950 on, however, the government permitted the secondary schools in Győr and Pannonhalma to function again. Even in those hard times the community remained devoted to the service of God.

Since the end of communism in Hungary, the Benedictine community of Pannonhalma, besides continuing its educational work, has been seeking the funds it needs to fulfil its role in the Church and in secular life.